Before a sea lion glides through crystal-clear water or a polar bear takes a morning swim, there's an entire team working behind the scenes to care for more than one million gallons of habitat water throughout the Columbus Zoo.

Meet the Aquatic Life Support Specialists and Water Quality Keepers.

What Does the Team Do?

Their work helps ensure aquatic habitats remain clean, balanced, and healthy for the animals that call them home.

On any given day, the team may be:

• Testing water samples
• Monitoring habitat temperatures and water chemistry
• Maintaining pumps, filters, and life support systems
• Tracking water quality through 24/7 computer monitoring systems
• Performing preventative maintenance on critical equipment
• Responding to alerts and system changes

By the Numbers

• More than 1 million gallons of habitat water maintained
• Water quality monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Nearly 100 pounds of gear carried during SCUBA dives
• Habitat water temperatures can drop to 45°F in winter

It's Not Your Average Office Job

Many team members are certified SCUBA divers who regularly enter animal habitats to perform underwater cleaning and maintenance.

Their equipment includes:

• Air tanks
  Buoyancy control devices (BCDs)
  Dive weights
  Wetsuits and cold-weather gear
  Underwater cleaning tools

Before the Zoo opens, divers clean the polar bear and brown bear habitats. After guests leave for the day, they head into the sea lion habitat to continue the work.

How Do You Clean a Polar Bear Pool?

It's a little more high-tech than a scrub brush.

The team uses:

• Specialized pressure washers
• Hydraulic scrubbers originally designed for ship hulls
• Underwater scrubber pads for acrylic viewing windows
• Fine sand polishing techniques to remove scratches and scuffs

These efforts help maintain clear viewing windows and healthy aquatic environments for the animals.

The team's expertise extends throughout the Zoo, including:

• Manatee Coast
• Discovery Reef
• Sea lion habitats
• Brown bear habitats
• Polar bear habitats

Anywhere water quality matters, you'll find this team at work.

Staying at the Top of Their Field

Aquatic Life Support Specialists and Water Quality Keepers maintain industry certifications and stay current on best practices in aquatic animal care.

Many team members hold certifications such as:

• Aquatic Animal Life Support Operator (AALSO)
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO)

The Work You Don't See

Guests may never see the pumps, filtration systems, computer monitors, or early-morning dives that help keep habitats running smoothly.

But every clear viewing window, every healthy habitat, and every splash-filled animal moment is supported by a dedicated team working behind the scenes to keep the water flowing.